JACKSONVILLE – Jax State women's basketball's stout defensive performance leads them past visiting New Mexico State 57-46 Thursday evening. The Gamecocks had a 21-point third quarter to help them edge out the Aggies.
 
Adriana Jones led the home team with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Jones also tallied four rebounds and two steals. Makala Hobdy joined Jones in double-digits scoring 11 on 4-of-9 shooting while also grabbing five rebounds. Mya Barnes had an impressive night crashing the glass with 13 boards.
 
Jax State shot 20-of-59 from the field and knocked down seven threes. Meanwhile, Jax State held New Mexico State to 20-of-56 shooting from the field and 2-of-15 shooting from range.
 
By the first media break of the game, the two squads were all-square at 10 points apiece. The Aggies closed out the first quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 16-13 advantage into the second period. In the second quarter, the Gamecocks capped an 11-2 run with a jones layup and hold a 27-20 lead at the half.
 
The Gamecocks outscored the Aggies 14-4 in the second quarter.
 
In the third, Barnes hit a three to extend the Gamecocks lead to 48-26 with just over two minutes on the clock. New Mexico State scored four in a row to make it 48-30 as the teams headed to the final 10 minutes of regulation.
 
The Gamecocks carried the momentum from the second quarter into the third by outscoring the Aggies 21-10.
 
In the fourth, NMSU got within eight with 44 seconds left. Hobdy sank one of two free throws to push Jax State's lead to 55-46 with 27 seconds on the clock. With nine seconds remaining, Eden Sample nailed a pair of free throws to ice the game.
 
New Mexico State was led by Lucia Yenes with 13 points in 37 minutes of action.
 
Jax State moves on to face UTEP in Pete Mathews Coliseum Saturday at 12 p.m. Halftime entertainment will be provided by the famous acrobat Red Panda.
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.